U.S. patent application number 14/249106 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for computerized tomography (ct) imaging system with improved x-ray tube mount.
The applicant listed for this patent is NeuroLogica Corp.. Invention is credited to Eric Bailey, Pilyong Oh, Daehyung Park, Andrew P. Tybinkowski.
Application Number | 20140301526 14/249106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51654471 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140301526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tybinkowski; Andrew P. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2014 |
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) IMAGING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED X-RAY
TUBE MOUNT
Abstract
An X-ray tube mount for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to the
rotating disk assembly of a CT imaging system, said X-ray tube
mount comprising: a housing having an inner end and an outer end,
wherein said inner end of said housing is located closer to the
center of rotation of the rotating disk assembly than said outer
end of said housing; and at least one mounting construct for
mounting said housing to the rotating disk assembly, wherein said
at least one mounting construct is disposed intermediate said inner
end of said housing and said outer end of said housing.
Inventors: |
Tybinkowski; Andrew P.;
(Boxford, MA) ; Park; Daehyung; (Yongin-Si,
KR) ; Oh; Pilyong; (Gwangmyeong-Si, KR) ;
Bailey; Eric; (North Hampton, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NeuroLogica Corp. |
Danvers |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51654471 |
Appl. No.: |
14/249106 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61809917 |
Apr 9, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
378/4 ;
378/193 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/40 20130101; G01N
2223/308 20130101; A61B 6/035 20130101; A61B 6/4429 20130101; G01N
23/046 20130101; H05G 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
378/4 ;
378/193 |
International
Class: |
H05G 1/04 20060101
H05G001/04; G01N 23/04 20060101 G01N023/04 |
Claims
1. An X-ray tube mount for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to the
rotating disk assembly of a CT imaging system, said X-ray tube
mount comprising: a housing having an inner end and an outer end,
wherein said inner end of said housing is located closer to the
center of rotation of the rotating disk assembly than said outer
end of said housing; and at least one mounting construct for
mounting said housing to the rotating disk assembly, wherein said
at least one mounting construct is disposed intermediate said inner
end of said housing and said outer end of said housing.
2. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 1 wherein said at least
one mounting construct comprises a hole.
3. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 1 wherein said housing is
configured to receive the X-ray tube assembly within said housing
with a particular orientation, and further wherein said at least
one mounting construct is disposed on said housing so that said at
least one mounting construct is laterally aligned with the
longitudinal axis of an X-ray tube assembly when the X-ray tube
assembly is received within said housing.
4. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 3 wherein said housing is
configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said at least one mounting construct is disposed on said housing so
that said at least one mounting construct is laterally aligned with
the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray tube
assembly when the moving anode X-ray tube assembly is received
within said housing.
5. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 3 wherein said at least
one mounting construct comprises at least two mounting constructs,
and further wherein a line connecting said at least two mounting
constructs passes through the longitudinal axis of an X-ray tube
assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
6. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 5 wherein said housing is
configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said line connecting said at least two mounting constructs passes
through the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray
tube assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
7. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 1 wherein the outer end
of said housing terminates in first and second lateralmost edges,
wherein said at least one mounting construct comprises at least two
mounting constructs, and further wherein said at least two mounting
constructs are disposed more lateral than said first and second
lateralmost edges of said outer end of said housing.
8. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 1 wherein said housing
comprises an outer section terminating in said outer end and an
inner section terminating in said inner end.
9. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 8 wherein said housing
comprises at least one axially-extending flange, wherein said at
least one axially-extending flange is formed on one of an inner
portion of said outer section and an outer portion of said inner
section, and further wherein said at least one mounting construct
is disposed on said at least one axially-extending flange.
10. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 9 wherein said at least
one axially-extending flange is formed on said outer portion of
said inner section.
11. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 9 wherein said housing
comprises at least two axially-extending flanges, wherein said at
least one mounting construct comprises at least two mounting
constructs, and further wherein at least one mounting construct is
mounted to each axially-extending flange.
12. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 11 wherein a line
connecting said at least two mounting constructs passes through the
longitudinal axis of an X-ray tube assembly when the X-ray tube
assembly is received within said housing.
13. An X-ray tube mount according to claim 12 wherein said housing
is configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said line connecting said at least two mounting constructs passes
through the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray
tube assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
14. Apparatus comprising: an X-ray tube mount for mounting an X-ray
tube assembly to the rotating disk assembly of a CT imaging system,
said X-ray tube mount comprising: a housing having an inner end and
an outer end, wherein said inner end of said housing is located
closer to the center of rotation of the rotating disk assembly than
said outer end of said housing; and at least one mounting construct
for mounting said housing to the rotating disk assembly, wherein
said at least one mounting construct is disposed intermediate said
inner end of said housing and said outer end of said housing; and
an X-ray tube assembly disposed within said housing.
15. A method for scanning an object, said method comprising:
providing a computer tomography (CT) imaging system comprising a
rotating disk assembly having an axial opening formed therein, an
X-ray tube assembly mounted to said rotating disk assembly on one
side of said axial opening, and an X-ray detector assembly mounted
to said rotating disk assembly on the opposing side of said axial
opening, wherein said X-ray tube assembly is mounted to said
rotating disk assembly using an X-ray tube mount, wherein said
X-ray tube mount comprises: a housing having an inner end and an
outer end, wherein said inner end of said housing is located closer
to the center of rotation of said rotating disk assembly than said
outer end of said housing; and at least one mounting construct for
mounting said housing to said rotating disk assembly, wherein said
at least one mounting construct is disposed intermediate said inner
end of said housing and said outer end of said housing; positioning
the object to be scanned within said axial opening of said rotating
disk assembly; and while rotating said rotating disk assembly,
passing X-rays from said X-ray tube assembly through the object and
detecting X-rays passing through the object with said X-ray
detector.
16. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one
mounting construct comprises a hole.
17. A method according to claim 15 wherein said housing is
configured to receive the X-ray tube assembly within said housing
with a particular orientation, and further wherein said at least
one mounting construct is disposed on said housing so that said at
least one mounting construct is laterally aligned with the
longitudinal axis of an X-ray tube assembly when the X-ray tube
assembly is received within said housing.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said housing is
configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said at least one mounting construct is disposed on said housing so
that said at least one mounting construct is laterally aligned with
the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray tube
assembly when the moving anode X-ray tube assembly is received
within said housing.
19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said at least one
mounting construct comprises at least two mounting constructs, and
further wherein a line connecting said at least two mounting
constructs passes through the longitudinal axis of an X-ray tube
assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said housing is
configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said line connecting said at least two mounting constructs passes
through the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray
tube assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
21. A method according to claim 15 wherein the outer end of said
housing terminates in first and second lateralmost edges, wherein
said at least one mounting construct comprises at least two
mounting constructs, and further wherein said at least two mounting
constructs are disposed more lateral than said first and second
lateralmost edges of said outer end of said housing.
22. A method according to claim 15 wherein said housing comprises
an outer section terminating in said outer end and an inner section
terminating in said inner end.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said housing comprises
at least one axially-extending flange, wherein said at least one
axially-extending flange is formed on one of an inner portion of
said outer section and an outer portion of said inner section, and
further wherein said at least one mounting construct is disposed on
said at least one axially-extending flange.
24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said at least one
axially-extending flange is formed on said outer portion of said
inner section.
25. A method according to claim 23 wherein said housing comprises
at least two axially-extending flanges, wherein said at least one
mounting construct comprises at least two mounting constructs, and
further wherein at least one mounting construct is mounted to each
axially-extending flange.
26. A method according to claim 25 wherein a line connecting said
at least two mounting constructs passes through the longitudinal
axis of an X-ray tube assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is
received within said housing.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said housing is
configured to receive a moving anode X-ray tube assembly within
said housing with a particular orientation, and further wherein
said line connecting said at least two mounting constructs passes
through the axis of rotation of the anode of a moving anode X-ray
tube assembly when the X-ray tube assembly is received within said
housing.
Description
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/809,917, filed Apr. 9,
2013 by Andrew P. Tybinkowski et al. for COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
(CT) IMAGING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED X-RAY TUBE MOUNT (Attorney's
Docket No. NEUROLOGICA-65 PROV), which patent application is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to imaging systems in general, and
more particularly to computerized tomography (CT) imaging
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In many situations, it can be desirable to image the
interior of opaque objects. By way of example but not limitation,
in the medical field, it can be desirable to image the interior of
a patient's body so as to allow internal body structures to be
viewed without physically penetrating the skin of the patient. By
way of further example but not limitation, in the security field,
it can be desirable to image the interior of a container and/or
carrying case so as to allow the contents of the container and/or
carrying case to be viewed without physically opening the container
and/or carrying case.
[0004] The present invention will hereinafter be discussed in the
context of medical imaging, however, it should be appreciated that
the present invention is also applicable to other types of imaging,
e.g., security screening, equipment analysis, etc.
[0005] Computerized Tomography (CT) has emerged as a key imaging
modality in the medical field. CT imaging systems generally operate
by directing X-rays into the body from a variety of positions,
detecting the X-rays passing through the body, and then processing
the detected X-rays so as to build a computer model of the
patient's anatomy. This computer model can then be visualized so as
to provide images of the patient's anatomy.
[0006] By way of example but not limitation, and looking now at
FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a CT imaging system 5. CT imaging
system 5 generally comprises a torus 10 which is supported by a
base 15. Torus 10 and base 15 together comprise a frame for CT
imaging system 5. A center opening 20 (which is sometimes referred
to as an axial opening) is formed in torus 10. Center opening 20
receives the patient anatomy which is to be scanned.
[0007] Looking next at FIG. 3, torus 10 generally comprises an
X-ray tube assembly 25, an X-ray detector assembly 30, and a
rotating disk assembly 35. X-ray tube assembly 25 and X-ray
detector assembly 30 are mounted to rotating disk assembly 35 in
diametrically-opposing relation, such that the X-ray beam 40
(generated by X-ray tube assembly 25 and detected by X-ray detector
assembly 30) is passed through the patient anatomy disposed in
center opening 20. Inasmuch as X-ray tube assembly 25 and X-ray
detector assembly 30 are mounted on rotating disk assembly 35 so
that they are rotated as a unit concentrically about center opening
20, X-ray beam 40 will be passed through the patient's anatomy and
detected along a full range of radial positions, so as to enable CT
imaging system 5 to create a "slice" image of the anatomy
penetrated by the X-ray beam. Furthermore, by moving the patient
relative to CT imaging system 5 during scanning (or, alternatively,
by moving CT imaging system 5 relative to the patient during
scanning), a series of slice images can be acquired, and thereafter
appropriately processed, so as to create a three-dimensional (3D)
computer model of the scanned anatomy.
[0008] As noted above, X-ray tube assembly 25 and X-ray detector
assembly 30 are mounted on rotating disk assembly 35 so that they
are rotated as a unit concentrically about center opening 20.
[0009] In general, and looking now at FIGS. 4-9, X-ray tube
assembly 25 is mounted to rotating disk assembly 35 using an X-ray
tube mount 45. More particularly, X-ray tube mount 45 comprises a
housing which is typically formed in two sections, an outer section
50 and an inner section 55, with X-ray tube assembly 25 being
captured between outer section 50 and inner section 55. As used
herein, the terms "outer" and "inner" are characterized in the
context of the center of rotation of rotating disk assembly 35,
i.e., inner section 55 is disposed closer to the center of rotation
of rotating disk assembly 35 than outer section 50.
[0010] Outer section 50 of X-ray tube mount 45 is secured to
rotating disk assembly 35, whereby to secure X-ray tube mount 45
(and hence X-ray tube assembly 25) to rotating disk assembly 35.
More particularly, outer section 50 of X-ray tube mount 45
comprises two feet 60 which are secured to rotating disk assembly
35 via bolts 63 which extend through holes 65 in feet 60 and engage
drum mounts 66 (e.g., brackets). Thus, holes 65 in feet 60 provide
mounting constructs for mounting X-ray tube mount 45 to rotating
disk assembly 35. Note that holes 65 and bolts 63 are disposed at
the outer end of X-ray tube mount 45, i.e., near the outer
circumference of rotating disk assembly 35. Note also that the
outermost portion of outer section 50 of X-ray tube mount 45
comprises first and second lateralmost edges 67A, 67B, and that
holes 65 (i.e., the mounting constructs) are disposed laterally
inboard of first and second lateralmost edges 67A, 67B.
[0011] Inner section 55 of X-ray tube mount 45 includes a window 70
which emits the X-rays from X-ray tube assembly 25.
[0012] In addition to the foregoing, it should also be appreciated
that X-ray tube assembly 25 generally comprises a so-called "moving
anode" X-ray tube. In a moving anode X-ray tube, which is commonly
used in medical scanners due to the higher energy requirements
associated with medical imaging, the anode 71 (FIG. 6) of the X-ray
tube assembly 25 is mounted on a shaft 72 which is rotated at a
high rate of speed (e.g., up to 10,000 revolutions per minute)
within the X-ray tube assembly. The cathode 73 emits electrons
which are drawn to anode 71, with X-rays 40 being emitted off the
anode and passing out window 70. It should be appreciated that in a
moving anode X-ray tube, cathode 73 is radially displaced from the
axis of rotation 74 of anode 71 (which axis of rotation 74 is
sometimes referred to as "the longitudinal axis of the X-ray
tube"). It should also be appreciated that in a moving anode X-ray
tube, delicate bearings must be provided for shaft 72, etc., in
order to sustain the high rate of rotation required for the moving
anode.
[0013] It will be appreciated that any instability in the mounting
of X-ray tube assembly 25 to rotating disk assembly 35 can produce
variations in the X-ray beam characteristics, and hence can
negatively affect the quality of the images generated by CT imaging
system 5. In addition, since X-ray tube assembly 25 typically
contains rapidly moving parts (e.g., an anode rotating at up to
10,000 revolutions per minute), any instability in the mounting of
X-ray tube assembly 25 to rotating disk assembly 35 can cause
excessive wear of the parts (e.g., bearings) within X-ray tube
assembly 25, which can shorten the life of the X-ray tube assembly.
It will be appreciated that, inasmuch as the X-ray tube assembly is
a relatively expensive component of a CT imaging system, excessive
wear of the parts (e.g., bearings) within X-ray tube assembly 25 is
undesirable.
[0014] Historically, the aforementioned X-ray tube mount 45
(comprising outer section 50 and inner section 55, with outer
section 50 comprising feet 60 which are secured to rotating disk
assembly 35 via bolts 63 which extend through holes 65 in feet 60
and engage drum mounts 66) has performed acceptably. However,
interest has now arisen in rotating the rotating disk assembly 35
with significantly increased speeds, e.g., at 270 revolutions per
minute. At these increased speeds, the forces imposed on X-ray tube
assembly 25 and X-ray tube mount 45 are quite large, and the
conventional X-ray tube mount 45 has proven incapable of providing
the requisite stability for X-ray tube assembly 25 as rotating disk
assembly 35 is rotated. Among other things, instability in the
mounting of X-ray tube assembly 25 to rotating disk assembly 35 has
negatively affected the quality of the images generated by CT
imaging system 5 and has caused excessive wear of the parts (e.g.,
bearings) within X-ray tube assembly 25, which shortens the life of
the X-ray tube assembly.
[0015] Therefore, a new and improved X-ray tube mount is needed for
mounting the X-ray tube assembly to the rotating disk assembly in a
CT imaging system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a new and improved X-ray tube
mount for mounting the X-ray tube assembly to the rotating disk
assembly in a CT imaging system. Among other things, this new and
improved X-ray tube mount provides significantly increased
stability for an X-ray tube assembly, such that the rotating disk
assembly can be rotated with significantly increased speeds, e.g.,
270 revolutions per minute, while still providing the requisite
stability for the X-ray tube assembly.
[0017] In one preferred form of the present invention, there is
provided an X-ray tube mount for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to
the rotating disk assembly of a CT imaging system, said X-ray tube
mount comprising:
[0018] a housing having an inner end and an outer end, wherein said
inner end of said housing is located closer to the center of
rotation of the rotating disk assembly than said outer end of said
housing; and
[0019] at least one mounting construct for mounting said housing to
the rotating disk assembly, wherein said at least one mounting
construct is disposed intermediate said inner end of said housing
and said outer end of said housing.
[0020] In another preferred form of the present invention, there is
provided apparatus comprising:
[0021] an X-ray tube mount for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to
the rotating disk assembly of a CT imaging system, said X-ray tube
mount comprising: [0022] a housing having an inner end and an outer
end, wherein said inner end of said housing is located closer to
the center of rotation of the rotating disk assembly than said
outer end of said housing; and [0023] at least one mounting
construct for mounting said housing to the rotating disk assembly,
wherein said at least one mounting construct is disposed
intermediate said inner end of said housing and said outer end of
said housing; and
[0024] an X-ray tube assembly disposed within said housing.
[0025] In another preferred form of the present invention, there is
provided a method for scanning an object, said method
comprising:
[0026] providing a computer tomography (CT) imaging system
comprising a rotating disk assembly having an axial opening formed
therein, an X-ray tube assembly mounted to said rotating disk
assembly on one side of said axial opening, and an X-ray detector
assembly mounted to said rotating disk assembly on the opposing
side of said axial opening, wherein said X-ray tube assembly is
mounted to said rotating disk assembly using an X-ray tube mount,
wherein said X-ray tube mount comprises: [0027] a housing having an
inner end and an outer end, wherein said inner end of said housing
is located closer to the center of rotation of said rotating disk
assembly than said outer end of said housing; and [0028] at least
one mounting construct for mounting said housing to said rotating
disk assembly, wherein said at least one mounting construct is
disposed intermediate said inner end of said housing and said outer
end of said housing;
[0029] positioning the object to be scanned within said axial
opening of said rotating disk assembly; and
[0030] while rotating said rotating disk assembly, passing X-rays
from said X-ray tube assembly through the object and detecting
X-rays passing through the object with said X-ray detector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying
drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further
wherein:
[0032] FIGS. 1-3 are schematic views showing the general
construction of a CT imaging system;
[0033] FIGS. 4-9 are schematic views showing a conventional X-ray
tube mount for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to the rotating disk
assembly of a CT imaging system;
[0034] FIGS. 10-15 are schematic views showing a new and improved
X-ray tube mount formed in accordance with the present invention
for mounting an X-ray tube assembly to the rotating disk assembly
of a CT imaging system;
[0035] FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic views showing the stiffness of
the conventional X-ray tube mount shown in FIGS. 4-9; and
[0036] FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic views showing the stiffness of
the new and improved X-ray tube mount shown in FIGS. 10-15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The present invention provides a new and improved X-ray tube
mount for mounting the X-ray tube assembly to the rotating disk
assembly in a CT imaging system. Among other things, this new and
improved X-ray tube mount provides significantly increased
stability for an X-ray tube assembly, such that the rotating disk
assembly can be rotated with significantly increased speeds, e.g.,
270 revolutions per minute, while still providing the requisite
stability for the X-ray tube assembly.
[0038] More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 10-15, there is
shown a new and improved X-ray tube mount 145 for mounting X-ray
tube assembly 25 to rotating disk assembly 35. The new and improved
X-ray tube mount 145 comprises a housing which is formed in two
sections, an outer section 150 and an inner section 155, with X-ray
tube assembly 25 being captured to X-ray tube mount 145 between
outer section 150 and inner section 155. Again, as used herein, the
terms "outer" and "inner" are characterized in the context of the
center of rotation of rotating disk assembly 35, i.e., inner
section 155 lies closer to the center of rotation of rotating disk
assembly 35 than outer section 150.
[0039] Inner section 155 is secured to rotating disk assembly 35,
whereby to secure X-ray tube mount 145 (and hence X-ray tube
assembly 25) to rotating disk assembly 35. More particularly, with
the present invention, inner section 155 of X-ray tube mount 145
comprises a pair of flanges 160 which extend parallel to the
longitudinal axis of X-ray tube assembly 25 (i.e., parallel to the
axis of rotation 74 of anode 71) and are secured to rotating disk
assembly 35 via bolts 163 which extend through holes 165 in flanges
160 and engage drum mounts 166 (e.g., brackets). Thus, holes 165 in
flanges 160 provide mounting constructs for mounting X-ray tube
mount 145 to rotating disk assembly 35. Note that the outermost
portion of outer section 150 of X-ray tube mount 145 comprises
first and second lateralmost edges 167A, 167B, and that holes 165
in flanges 160 of inner section 155 (i.e., the mounting constructs)
are disposed laterally outboard of first and second lateralmost
edges 167A, 167B.
[0040] Significantly, holes 165 in flanges 160 of the new and
improved X-ray tube mount 145 are disposed outboard of holes 65 in
feet 60 of conventional X-ray tube mount 45 (note the distance X in
FIGS. 4 and 5 versus the distance X+.alpha. in FIGS. 10 and 11),
and holes 165 in flanges 160 of improved X-ray tube mount 145 are
disposed closer to the center of rotation of rotating disk assembly
35 than holes 65 in feet 60 of conventional X-ray tube mount 45
(note the distance Y in FIGS. 4 and 5 versus the distance Y+.beta.
in FIGS. 10 and 11), whereby to provide significantly increased
stability for X-ray tube assembly 25.
[0041] Furthermore, holes 165 in flanges 160 of improved X-ray tube
mount 145 are set on a line which extends parallel to the
longitudinal axis of X-ray tube assembly 25 (i.e., parallel to the
axis of rotation 74 of anode 71 of X-ray tube assembly 25), which
results in significantly increased stability for X-ray tube
assembly 145 as rotating disk assembly 35 is rotated.
[0042] Thus it will be seen that with the present invention, (i)
the mounting constructs of the new and improved X-ray tube mount
145 are moved laterally outward and radially inward relative to the
mounting constructs of conventional X-ray tube mount 45 (see the
distance X+.alpha. in FIGS. 10 and 11 versus the distance X in
FIGS. 4 and 5, and see the distance Y+.beta. in FIGS. 10 and 11
versus the distance Y in FIGS. 4 and 5), and (ii) the mounting
constructs of the new and improved X-ray tube mount 145 are set on
a line which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of X-ray
tube assembly 25 (i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation 74 of
anode 71 of X-ray tube assembly 25), whereby to provide
significantly more stability for X-ray tube assembly 25 as rotating
disk assembly 35 of CT imaging system 5 is rotated.
[0043] Inner section 155 of X-ray tube mount 145 also includes a
window 170 which emits the X-rays from X-ray tube assembly 25.
[0044] The new and improved X-ray tube mount 145 provides
significantly more stability for X-ray tube assembly 25 than does
conventional X-ray tube mount 45. See, for example, FIGS. 16 and
17, which show the extent of deformation of conventional X-ray tube
mount 45, and FIGS. 18 and 19, which show the extent of deformation
with the improved X-ray tube mount 145. As can be seen from FIGS.
16 and 17, and 18 and 19, the new and improved X-ray tube mount 145
provides significantly more stability for X-ray tube assembly 25
than does conventional X-ray tube mount 45.
[0045] It should also be appreciated that, if desired, flanges 160
may be formed on outer section 150 of X-ray tube mount 145, rather
than being formed on inner section 155 of X-ray tube mount 145 as
disclosed above. Of course, in this alternative construction,
flanges 160 would be formed on the inner end of outer section 150
of X-ray tube mount 145, rather than being formed on the outer end
of inner section 155 of X-ray tube mount 145 as previously
disclosed.
[0046] It should also be appreciated that, if desired, improved
X-ray tube mount 145 can also provide additional mounting means at
the outermost surfaces of its outer section 150.
Modifications of the Preferred Embodiments
[0047] It should be understood that many additional changes in the
details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have
been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the
nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in
the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of
the invention.
* * * * *